By Tomiwa Akinbamire
Nigeria’s drug regulatory agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has released findings from a national survey exposing widespread access to alcohol among minors across the country.
The survey, conducted in collaboration with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) and executed by Research and Data Solutions Ltd., Abuja, sampled 1,788 respondents across six states: Gombe, Kaduna, the Federal Capital Territory, Anambra, Lagos, and Rivers. Data was gathered using quantitative questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews with alcohol retailers.
Findings from the study reveal that alcohol remains easily accessible to minors and underage persons, with more than half of the respondents reportedly purchasing alcohol themselves. Retail outlets selling alcohol in sachets and small PET bottles were identified as the primary sources, raising concerns about weak enforcement and regulatory gaps at the point of sale.
NAFDAC disclosed these findings in a press release issued on February 3, 2026. According to the agency, the study, carried out between June and August 2021, assessed access to alcohol and consumption patterns among minors, underage persons, and adults across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The agency noted that the survey findings reinforce the rationale behind its full enforcement of the ban on the production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET bottles, and glass bottles of 200 millilitres and below. NAFDAC explained that the policy is aimed at reducing underage drinking and alcohol abuse by limiting access to highly concentrated spirits commonly sold in small, affordable quantities.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the study further revealed that while many minors consume alcohol occasionally, a significant minority reported daily or weekly consumption, highlighting the scale of the public health concern.
In response, the agency called for collective action beyond regulation. NAFDAC urged parents, guardians, educators, religious institutions, and community leaders to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing underage drinking. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based regulation and sustained stakeholder collaboration as part of efforts to curb alcohol abuse and protect the health and future of Nigerian children and youth.
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